Watershed Restoration Plan for the White Oak River Basin i

Unified Watershed Assessment
In September of 1998 the NC Division of Water Quality and the USDA-Natural Resource
Conservation Service evaluated all 8-digit cataloging units [CUs] in the state using the US
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Framework for the Unified Watershed Assessment to
determine priority areas for water quality restoration. The assessment assigned one of four
categories to each 8-digit CU in the state:
• Category I: Watersheds in Need of Restoration. These watersheds do not now meet, or
face imminent threat of not meeting, clean water and other natural resource goals.
• Category II: Watersheds Meeting Goals, Including Those Needing Action to Sustain
Water Quality. These watersheds meet clean water and other natural resource goals and
standards and support healthy aquatic systems.
• Category III: Watersheds with Pristine or Sensitive Aquatic System Conditions on Lands
Administered by Federal, State, and Tribal Governments.
• Category IV: Watersheds With Insufficient Data to Make an Assessment.
As shown in Figure 2.2, the Unified Watershed Assessment process identified two 8-digit
CUs, together encompassing the entire White Oak River basin, as Category I priority areas for
restoration: Cataloging Units 03020106 and 03030001. Unified Watershed Assessment
Category I watersheds receive priority for EPA Section 319 Incremental Grant funds. The
NCWRP is committed to working with other agencies and programs to leverage Section 319
resources in the Unified Watershed Assessment high-priority areas. In some cases, the
NCWRP can provide matching funds for projects located in NCWRP Targeted Local
Watersheds. Information on the NC 319 Grant Program is available online at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/bigpic.htm.
Watershed Restoration Plan for the White Oak River Basin 11